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Arctic Refuge Once Again Threatened By Bush Administration Drilling Plans

Statement By Defenders Of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen

(11/11/2004) - Washington, DC --
In the face of broad public opposition, the Bush administration and pro-industry
lawmakers are once again threatening to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
to oil companies eager to mount drilling operations.

Despite the election
results, the facts have not changed. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would destroy
one of our nation's last pristine wilderness areas. The Refuge is home to
thousands of caribou, polar bears and other wildlife, not to mention millions of
birds that migrate to the Refuge each year. Opening this area to oil drilling
would irreversibly damage this vital wildlife habitat.

Moreover, drilling
in the Refuge would do nothing to alleviate America's energy woes. According to
the U.S. Geological Survey, the Refuge contains only about as much oil as the US
consumes in a six month period. And oil executives themselves admit that, even
if they started drilling today, the oil in the Refuge wouldn't reach market for
another ten years -- far too late to help with rising gas
prices.

Poll after poll shows that the American people don't want
to the Arctic Refuge opened to drilling. Defenders of Wildlife encourages U.S.
Representatives and Senators to follow the will people on this vital issue
rather than the want of oil executives.

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Defenders of Wildlife is one of the nation's most
progressive advocates for wildlife and habitat, and was named as one of
America's Top 100 Charities by Worth magazine. With more than 480,000 members
and supporters, Defenders is an effective voice for wildlife and habitat. To
learn more about Defenders of Wildlife, please visit www.defenders.org.

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Contact(s):

Deborah Bagocius, (202) 772-0239

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